Laila Cunningham: The Full Biography of Reform UK’s Mayoral Candidate

Laila Cunningham is a British politician, former Crown Prosecutor, and Westminster City Councillor currently serving as the Reform UK candidate for the 2028 London mayoral election. Born Laila Ahmed El-Meleigy in 1977, she rose to national prominence in early 2026 after being handpicked by Nigel Farage to challenge the incumbent leadership of London. Known for her “new sheriff in town” rhetoric, Cunningham’s platform focuses heavily on abolishing the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), implementing driverless Tube trains, and adopting a “war on crime” approach to policing.

In this comprehensive guide, you will explore Laila Cunningham’s journey from a high-flying legal professional at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to a pivotal figure in the Reform UK party. We examine her transition from the Conservative Party, her entrepreneurial ventures in the tech sector, and the personal background that shapes her controversial yet influential political stances.

Early Life and Family Background

Laila Cunningham was born in Paddington, London, to Egyptian parents who immigrated to the United Kingdom in the 1960s to escape the socialist and pan-Arabist policies of the Nasser era. Growing up in Kilburn as one of five children, she often credits her parents’ appreciation for British freedom and safety as the foundation for her own political convictions.

Her upbringing was characterized by a blend of academic rigor and athletic achievement. She was a dedicated basketball player, training at the Centre of Excellence for Basketball in Europe before moving to the United States to play and study at California State University, Long Beach.

Educational Foundations and Law

Cunningham pursued her higher education at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she earned her law degree. This academic background paved the way for a successful legal career, eventually leading her to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as a senior prosecutor.

During her tenure at the CPS, she specialized in the youth court system, gaining first-hand experience with the complexities of the British justice system. Her professional transition from law to politics was catalyzed by her growing frustration with what she described as a “dereliction of duty” regarding public safety and the enforcement of law in London.

Transition to Local Politics

Laila Cunningham first attempted to enter local government in 2018, running for Westminster City Council as a Conservative candidate, though she was unsuccessful in that initial bid. She remained active in the party and eventually secured a seat on the council in May 2022, representing a marginal ward.

As a councillor, she initially focused on local issues such as housing and community safety. However, her relationship with the Conservative Party began to sour as she became increasingly vocal against the national party’s record on taxation, immigration, and the management of the Metropolitan Police.

Defection to Reform UK

In June 2025, Cunningham made headlines by defecting from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, citing a total loss of faith in the Tory leadership. She famously stated that she could no longer “defend failure” on the doorstep and felt “liberated” by the move to a party that aligned more closely with her views on free speech and national identity.

Following her defection, she was quickly identified as a “rising star” within Reform UK. She became the face of the “Women for Reform” campaign, aimed at broadening the party’s appeal among female voters by focusing on protection, family values, and common-sense policing.

2028 London Mayoral Candidacy

On January 7, 2026, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage officially announced Laila Cunningham as the party’s candidate for the 2028 London Mayoral election. The announcement positioned her as a direct challenger to Sadiq Khan, with Farage praising her as an articulate and passionate communicator capable of winning over the capital.

Her campaign is built on several “day-one” promises, most notably the immediate scrapping of the ULEZ expansion. She also advocates for making the London Underground fully automated (driverless) to prevent strike disruptions and giving the Metropolitan Police “new marching orders” to prioritize street-level crime.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Tech

Outside of her legal and political life, Cunningham is an entrepreneur who founded the “Kitchin Table” app. Launched in 2018, the platform was designed as a mobile networking tool for female freelancers and remote workers, often described as a “local LinkedIn for women.”

To scale the venture, she moved to Los Angeles and participated in a residential tech accelerator in Silicon Valley. This experience in the American tech ecosystem has influenced her views on British enterprise, leading her to advocate for more private-sector innovation and fewer regulatory hurdles for UK startups.

Personal Life and Faith

Laila Cunningham is a practicing Muslim, a fact that often places her at the center of complex debates regarding identity politics within the right wing. She has been outspoken about her faith, stating that while she is proud of her heritage, she believes London is not a “Muslim city” and wishes to see Christianity celebrated more prominently in British public life.

She is married to Michael Cunningham, an American financier and tech investor, with whom she has a son. Through her current marriage and previous marriage to Philippe Dupuy, she is the mother or stepmother to seven children, a role she frequently cites as her primary motivation for entering the “war on crime” to protect future generations.

Controversies and Public Image

Cunningham is known for her blunt and often polarizing rhetoric, particularly regarding immigration and “two-tier policing.” She has faced criticism for suggesting that burqas should be banned in London and for her refusal to support the codification of Islamophobia as a criminal offense, arguing instead for absolute free speech.

Despite these controversies, her supporters view her as a refreshing and authentic voice in a “sanitized” political landscape. Her frequent appearances on GB News and social media have helped her build a significant following among voters who feel marginalized by mainstream political parties.

Stance on Crime and Safety

As a former prosecutor, Cunningham places “Law and Order” at the heart of her political identity. She has publicly advocated for the expanded use of “stop and search” and has criticized the police for being too concerned with “community relations” at the expense of catching criminals.

She often shares personal anecdotes, such as her children being robbed at knifepoint, to highlight what she describes as a breakdown in public safety. Her “new sheriff” persona is designed to appeal to Londoners who feel that low-level crime, such as shoplifting and phone snatching, has been decriminalized.

Practical Information and Planning

For those following the 2028 London Mayoral race or looking to engage with Laila Cunningham’s campaign, the following details are essential:

• Election Date: The London Mayoral election is scheduled for May 2028.
• Campaign Headquarters: Reform UK offices are located near Millbank, Westminster.
• Public Appearances: Cunningham is a frequent guest on GB News and participates in “Battle of Ideas” festivals and Reform UK regional rallies.
• How to Support: Supporters can join the Reform UK party via their official website or volunteer for local canvassing in Westminster.
• What to Expect: Expect a high-energy, social-media-driven campaign focusing on the “Common Sense” platform, with a heavy emphasis on transport and policing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Laila Cunningham? 

Laila Cunningham is a Westminster City Councillor and the Reform UK candidate for the 2028 London Mayoral election. She is a former senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service.

What is Laila Cunningham’s political party? 

She is currently a member of Reform UK, having defected from the Conservative Party in June 2025.

What are her main policies for London? 

Her key pledges include abolishing the ULEZ, introducing driverless Tube trains, increasing “stop and search” usage, and giving priority in social housing to British citizens.

Is Laila Cunningham still a lawyer? 

No, she resigned from the Crown Prosecution Service following her move into more active political roles to avoid conflicts of interest regarding her political remarks.

What is her religious background? 

Laila Cunningham is a practicing Muslim. She has stated that she values her faith but believes in total free speech, including the right of others to criticize Islam.

How many children does she have? 

She has a total of seven children, including biological children and stepchildren from her marriages.

What was the “Kitchin Table” app? 

It was a networking platform founded by Cunningham to help female freelancers and remote workers connect and work together in local spaces.

What is her stance on ULEZ? 

She is a staunch opponent of the Ultra Low Emission Zone and has promised to scrap the expansion on her first day if elected Mayor of London.

What is her educational background? 

She holds a law degree from the London School of Economics (LSE) and studied at California State University, Long Beach.

Why did she leave the Conservative Party? 

She left because she felt the party had failed on its promises regarding immigration, taxation, and law and order over their 14 years in power.

What is her view on “two-tier policing”? 

She is a vocal critic of what she perceives as “two-tier policing,” arguing that the police should focus on objective law enforcement rather than managing community sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

Laila Cunningham represents a new chapter in British politics, blending a high-stakes legal background with a confrontational and populist political style. Her journey from the Crown Prosecution Service to the forefront of Reform UK’s London campaign highlights a growing appetite for disruptive leadership within the capital. As the 2028 mayoral race approaches, her policies on crime, transport, and national identity will undoubtedly remain at the center of the public discourse.

Whether viewed as a necessary “sheriff” for a city in crisis or a polarizing figure in an already divided landscape, Cunningham has successfully positioned herself as a major political force. For Londoners, her candidacy offers a starkly different vision for the future of the city—one rooted in traditional enforcement, fiscal reduction, and a singular British civic culture.

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